The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-11

The Language of the BARNARD Fowl Trans
lated Into English.

lated Into English.
g. F. Holder, in september Wide Awake.
AS example OF brd-language, the ordinary
domestic fowl presents the most interesting and
perfect range. SO common that 1t is rarely con-
sidered reflected upon OF few will be aston
ished at the vocal posi- bities of the nen if they
will give the subject little investigation.
Knowing that the hen has a voice, assume
thatits Office is to afford communication between
individuals. Half an hour in farm-yard will
beyond question demonstrate this, and that
certain sounds the equivalents of words.
The crow of the cock is assuredly challenge.
the moment another bird is noticed, and is kept
up either In advance or retreat 1t is sounded
IN the morning in answer to others, and ia
parable to the challenge or war cry of many
savage tribes. or even the answering shouts of
college boys or men, that are unexplainable
other grounds than a challenge of merits.
Observing closely our rooster, accompanied by
his family, we notice that the hens pay atten-
ton to the challenges but let him find some deli
eacy, he utuers q succession of short notes,
tuck, tuck, tuck. tucki" upon which the others
rush about him eager to share Again, if
hawk flies overhead, the cock, guardian of the
flock, raises his head and utters a prolong ed
note as different from the former possible.
'k-a-r-r-r-e,' he seems to say. which translated
into English means look out for the hawk
runr' and Immediately hens and chickens duck
their heads and rush for cover. Now let dog
dart after the head of this family, and listen to
the chicks and other sounds coming fast and
furious protests in every information.
The hen cannot crow. but she has in other
respects as perfect control of language her
lnOeoQ.
congratulatory performance expressive OF deep
contentment and complete satisfaction, heard
when hens are let out and they are running for
food, and upon warm days in spring it is a
s.kerr kerr kerr" differing in it's incubation
and information in individuals. How different is
this from the sharp ''cuck, cluck" OF the mother
body, and plainly SAYS, Il have young family,
and must be let alone" If grain is found, how
suddenly this is changed to the quick call,
stuck, tuck, tuck!" upon hearine which the lit
stand it the moment they leave the shell. In
deed, the different notes. or baby talk" of a
hen are of great variety. No one would think
of saying that the ''cut, cut. ca-da-cut'
call 1t says plain words tell, II have
laid an egg" and the bright little. egg hunter
who hears Immediately starts for the hay loft,
favorite hound of mine was in habit of
doing. She understood her language, and fed
upon fresnlylaid eggs for some time before l
discovered that she was such lngust The
moment "cut, cut, ca da-cut" was heard she
trotted to the hen COOP.
When the little chicks are nestled under the
mother another sound is heard, a prolonged
hoarse ''cr-a-wzz-e, c-r-a-wzz-e," which l
copy from a happy mother in my possession
without the aid of monograph. Enter
chicken coop at night and a soft whstng noise
Is made a gentle chirpng by the bires some
thing like ''w h-o ore" rapidly repeated, that
speaks plainly of apprehension. If chicken is
seized by the leg the &c r-a-i-a-i-o-u. c-ia-i-a
10 u" that follows could never be construed into
anything but wall of anguish. So if we COM
mence dictionary OF the domestic fowl-an-
guage we might have the following basis
Ur-ka- do-dle -do-o-o. Challenge of male.
Tuck, tuck, tuck. Food call of male.
K-ar-r-e. Announcing presence of hawk.
Cut cut, -da-cut. Announcements of egg
laying.
Chuck, cuck, cluck. Call of young.
Kerr, kerr, kerr. Song of contentment of
hen.
C-r-aw-z-z-e. Quieting young chicks
W-h-oo-ie twhistlel Expression of apprehen-
C-r-ai-a--o-u. Terror and protest at cap
ture.
These sounds of course vary in individuals;
that Isl In the information, as, like persons, no
two birds utter the same vocal sounds